Alcohol Detox Programs and Centers

Giving up drinking is no easy task. There are many reasons why a person begins to drink in excess. Family, work and social problems may be more than someone thinks they can handle and they turn to alcohol to relieve the stress they are facing in their life. Deciding to quit means going through a program in which the first step is detox. The detox portion of a program is the hardest part of treatment and can be so difficult that some people will not seek help for their addiction.

Symptoms such as shaking, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, chills and sweating can occur when a person stops drinking suddenly. Detox is best done in an alcohol treatment center where there are trained professionals who can administer medication to help with the withdrawal symptoms and psychologists who can help a person come to terms as to why they started drinking in the first place.

Once a person decides to seek help for their addiction, they will enter a rehab program. They will go through an admissions process where they will be asked questions concerning their health, work background and family history. At this time, the general basis of the treatment program is explained. A person may ask any questions concerning the facility or program.

The detox phase is the now about to begin. This phase is also called "drying out". A person may have such severe symptoms that it is necessary to give them drugs such as Xanax or Valium. These medications themselves have an addictive tendency, but if they are administered correctly and decreased gradually they can greatly help with the withdrawal symptoms.

A person who is an alcoholic may also engage in risky behavior such as unprotected sex. At a treatment facility a person is given a medical examination that will include testing for HIV and sexual transmitted diseases if any health problems are found the proper treatment is administered. Nutrition is also a vital part of the program, as many drinkers do not eat properly. Some people who are addicts do not take care of their personal hygiene and during the time a person is at a facility good hygiene is mandatory.

Counseling is the next phase of the program. In can consist of one-on-one talks with a person trained in alcohol rehab or they can attend group meeting with other patients. In group meetings each person can discuss their feelings and express their hopes and fears of what lies ahead. Family counseling is sometimes advised so that family members can understand what a person is going through, they can also find out why a person began to drink and they will be given information to help the person after a treatment program is completed.

After treatment is complete a person will return to their home and can be faced with their old friends who drank and be near places where their binges took place. Meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous bring together people who are facing the same situations and this type of support is very helpful.